The southern tip of Illinois offers cabin camping options that sit along the Ohio River and Kentucky Lake, near the town of Metropolis, with the area's 400-foot elevation providing mostly forested terrain. Seasonal temperature variations are significant, with summer highs often exceeding 90°F and winters bringing occasional snow. Most camping cabins near Metropolis remain accessible year-round, though amenities like boat rentals are typically seasonal.
What to do
Explore wildlife viewing areas: The Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area offers excellent wildlife observation opportunities, particularly at their Elk and Bison Prairie. One camper noted, "Checked out the Elk and Bison Prairie, which was really cool. Nature station was really cool and we rented some canoes to explore around that area."
Canoe or kayak on no-wake lakes: Several campgrounds provide boat rentals for peaceful paddling. A visitor to Energy Lake Campground shared, "The lake was gorgeous and perfect for kayaking though, with lots of nice coves to explore and wildlife to see. I saw a doe with a spotted fawn nursing on my first trip onto the water."
Visit historical sites: The region features unique geological formations with historical significance. At Cave-in-Rock State Park, a camper explained, "The cave has some pretty interesting history it was once a hideout for river pirates. It now seems to be frequented by bikers and locals."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many appreciate the spacious layout at certain campgrounds. A visitor to Birdsville Riverside RV Park commented, "All the spots are spaced out too. There is a second row of campsites behind the waterfront row that are not in use. I think if both of them were being used it would make it hard to get in to the sites."
Watching river traffic: Riverside locations offer unique entertainment. One camper noted, "Our campsite was right on the river bank. We enjoyed a quiet and relaxing stay at this wonderful park. Watching the barges go up and down the river along with an occasional recreational boat or 2."
Hot tubs at select locations: Some private campgrounds offer unexpected amenities. A guest at The Art Farm Women's Retreat shared, "Laura was quick to reply to questions and was waiting for us when we arrived. Spot was easy to get into. Quiet and peaceful. Hot tub was great!"
What you should know
Cabin quality varies significantly: Condition and cleanliness differ between locations. One camper at Bear Branch Campground reported, "The cabin(single-wide trailer) looked as if it was placed in the 1980's and has never been touched. The floor in the cabin was soft(rotted)."
Shared utility connections: Some campgrounds use an unusual hookup arrangement. At Birdsville Riverside RV Park, a camper explained, "Also make note that the electric poles and water are shared between each site (you have your own plug but it's in the middle of the two sites) which means the odd number sites are back in, even numbers are pull in."
Bathroom facilities range widely: Quality and availability of restrooms can affect your experience. At Dixon Springs State Park Campground, a visitor noted, "The pit toilets leave a lot to be desired and the lack of showers on site is reprehensible. The campers deserve better from this camping."
Tips for camping with families
Playground quality: Consider campgrounds with better play facilities. A camper at Energy Lake Campground commented, "The playground was pretty disappointing with only a couple swings, a hot metal slide and a climbing bar. The beach was far from impressive with basically gravel as half of the beach."
Swimming options: Some areas offer dedicated swim zones. At Hillman Ferry Campground, visitors mentioned, "Great campground with beautiful nearby walking trails. There are a lot of amenities for the kiddos."
Insect preparation: The area has significant tick and poison ivy concerns. One visitor advised, "Lots of poison ivy and ticks. Luckily, we expected this and came prepared with tweezers, tick remover, insect repellant, and poison ivy wipes."
Tips from RVers
Site levelness challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain. At Paducah-Kentucky Lake KOA, a camper noted, "Campsites with large and well-maintained but very close together. A clean campground right off of the roadway."
Heat management: Summer temperatures require planning. One visitor mentioned, "We stayed in a camper cabin here in September. We normally tent camp but it was a weekend with record heat."
Loop selection matters: Different sections of campgrounds offer varying experiences. An RVer at Energy Lake Campground advised, "Next time we will camp, likely on loop D, which had some nice lakeview sites. You can't see the water from the cabin loop."
